Single, multi-walled, functionalized and doped carbon nanotubes and composites thereof

摘要

The present invention relates to single walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), functionalized CNTs and carbon nanotube composites with controlled properties, to a method for aerosol synthesis of single walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, functionalized CNTs and carbon nanotube composites with controlled properties from pre-made catalyst particles and a carbon source in the presence of reagents and additives, to functional, matrix and composite materials composed thereof and structures and devices fabricated from the same in continuous or batch CNT reactors. The present invention allows all or part of the processes of synthesis of CNTs, their purification, doping, functionalization, coating, mixing and deposition to be combined in one continuous procedure and in which the catalyst synthesis, the CNT synthesis, and their functionalization, doping, coating, mixing and deposition can be separately controlled.

主权项

1. An apparatus for producing carbon nanotubes from a gas phase, comprising:
a device configured to produce an aerosol of pre-made catalyst particles by physical vapor nucleation of catalyst material, the aerosol of pre-made catalyst particles being formed by nucleating supersaturated vapor, wherein said device configured to produce said aerosol of pre-made catalyst particles comprises a nozzle configured for adiabatic expansion; and one or more reactors for producing carbon nanotubes using said aerosol of pre-made catalyst particles and one or more carbon sources, the one or more reactors being configured for the introduction of the aerosol of pre-made catalyst particles, the introduction of the one or more carbon sources, and reacting the pre-made catalyst particles and the one or more carbons sources to produce the carbon nanotubes.